For migrants’ sake, Taiwan and Philippine governments should resolve crisis now

Protect the Filipino migrants in Taiwan Taiwan and Philippine governments should resolve crisis now

Filipino migrants are innocent. They should be protected.

This is the call of the International Migrants’ Alliance as it urgently demands both the Philippine and Taiwanese governments to immediately resolve the conflict that rose from the May 9 shooting of a 65-year old Taiwanese fisherman.

As we speak, as the conflict drags on remaining unresolved, the safety and security of Filipino migrants especially those living and working in Taiwan are endangered. The IMA has received cases of Filipino migrants experiencing physical harm and other discriminatory actions from Taiwanese locals because of the aforementioned crisis.

This should stop. No physical attack or any act of racist discrimination should be done or condoned.

The Filipino migrants in Taiwan do not only contribute to the welfare of their loved ones and families back home. They too contribute to the economy of Taiwan and attend to the needs of the families they work for in Taiwan.

While anger over the shamefully inept reaction from the Philippine government is justified, the Taiwanese government should be responsible for protecting the Filipino migrant workers residing in Taiwan too.

We strongly urge Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou to strengthen protection for Filipino migrants and alert its respective agencies in extending support to anyone, especially Filipino migrants, who would experience any untoward incident.

Furthermore, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan should not be pulled out from Taiwan to accord any assistance or service needed by Filipino migrants in Taiwan. Withdrawing the MECO out of Taiwan will only put the Filipino migrant workers in graver danger.

If any more untoward incident happens to any Filipino migrant in Taiwan because of this delay in resolution of the conflict, the IMA holds both the Taiwanese and Philippine governments responsible.

Diplomatically resolve the Philippines-Taiwan conflict now!

Uphold and protect the rights and welfare of Filipino migrants in Taiwan!